Lab Medicine Rounds

Interview with Robin Patel, M.D., and Justin Kreuter, M.D.
This episode discusses a “universal” gene in all bacteria,16S ribosomal RNA gene. It has regions of high conservation and areas of variability. It can be targeted by PCR in such a way that any bacterium’s 16S ribosomal RNA gene is amplified and then the amplified product can be sequenced to identify the source bacterium.

Show Notes

Time Stamps

00:00 Podcast Intro

00:30 Introduction of Robin Patel, M.D. the Division Chair of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic 

00:42 What is the 16S Ribosomal RNA gene?

1:28  How is it detected and sequenced in clinical microbiology?

2:33 What does this mean for physicians and their patients now that this is something that can be done in the microbiology lab?

4:23 How has the testing for this gene changed?

5:58 Can you take us through an interesting case you have come across?

9:47 What are the limitations when you’re talking about this kind of testing?

11:15 Where is this headed? Are we headed towards next-gen sequencing for 16S?

11:51 So, that will be helpful when you’re talking about using it directly on a patient sample vs. a pure colony that you’re using the testing on?

12:29 What’s the turnaround time for this kind of test? 

14:08 Where does this 16S Ribosomal RNA gene testing fit in the toolbox of who should be ordering this?

15:21 What is it that you wish the medical community knew about the microbiology lab?

16:34 Outro

Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5652441/
https://jcm.asm.org/content/55/9/2599 

What is Lab Medicine Rounds?

A Mayo Clinic podcast for laboratory professionals, physicians, and students, hosted by Justin Kreuter, M.D., assistant professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at Mayo Clinic, featuring educational topics and insightful takeaways to apply in your practice.